Michigan

County Commissioner Brandon Krause, D-1st District, pictured in the final moments of his last County Board meeting as a commissioner. Krause will transition to fill Bay County's Register of Deeds role in coming days.

BAY CITY, MI — With mixed emotions and a lump in his throat, Bay County Commissioner Brandon Krause officially offered his resignation to the Bay County Board on Tuesday as he prepares to assume office as Bay County's register of deeds within the next several days.

Krause, D-1st District, noted it has been an "extreme honor" to represent his constituents.

"It is with mixed emotions that I submit this letter of resignation today," he said, beginning to choke up as he read his letter to his fellow commissioners. Krause thanked members of county staff, as well as his colleagues on the board.

"I'd like to thank my fellow commissioners," he said, also offering thanks to County Board Coordinator Deanne Berger and Financial Analyst Bob Redmond. "It has been a privilege to work with you these last several years."

In resigning, Krause gave an effective time and date of 5 p.m. on Friday, June 13, after which the Bay County Board plans to fill his post. County Commissioner Ernie Krygier, D-2nd District, said plans are in place to accept applications at large from the public to fill out the remainder of Krause's term, which expires following elections in November.

County Commissioner Ernie Krygier, D-2nd District

"It's my hope next Tuesday that the board will look over applications," Krygier said. He noted that individuals who meet the necessary qualifications for the post — in this case, Michigan law requires they be a 1st District registered voter and resident — can submit an application to the office of the Board of Commissioners, 515 Center Ave. in advance of a 5 p.m. deadline on Monday, June 16. Applicants can also e-mail their materials to Berger at BergerD@baycounty.net.

The board will have to make its considerations quickly. According to Amber Johnson, assistant corporation counsel for Bay County, there are no "concrete" guidelines for the selection process other than a mandate set forth in Michigan law that a new delegate be chosen within 30 days of a previous commissioner's departure. If no one is chosen within the time limit — in this case, by Sunday, July 13 — a special election will have to be held to determine a successor.

Krygier said he isn't worried about the timeframe; he expects a successor to be chosen at Tuesday's meeting, in advance of upcoming budget meetings, and sworn soon thereafter.

Regardless of the person appointed to serve the 1st District, several candidates already have their names on August's primary election ballots. Besides Krause, one challenger is listed on the Democratic primary ballot — Michael Duranczyk, a former member of the County Board. Two Republicans are on that party's primary ticket — Levi O'Brien and Brandon DeFrain.

County Commissioner Don Tilley, D-6th District

County Commissioner Don Tilley, D-6th District, said Duranczyk told him he has begun preparing an application for the position, and sought his support for appointment. Tilley said he didn't grant or deny support, but that Duranzcyk would be a logical choice, given his current placement on the ballot.

When contacted by The Times, Duranczyk confirmed his interest in the position, noting that he has already submitted an application.

"I've had the position for the 1st District for two terms, so my position is to try and maintain the level of services for the citizens of the 1st District and improve them where possible," he said, noting his hopes to expand and work with Pinconning Park and address seniors' and veterans' issues in the district.

Besides Duranczyk, County administrators and commissioners floated a number of possible names for Krause's successor, including Patrick Beson, a former Bay County Commissioner who served during the 2000s, as well as current Pinconning City Manager Richard Byrne, though officials did not indicate if they knew if either were interested in applying.

Tilley emphasized he doesn't know who the front-runner for the post is at this time.

"In my head, (Duranczyk) probably is, but that doesn't mean somebody doesn't walk up to the podium and be just as qualified and be just as strong a candidate," he said.

Bay County Clerk Cynthia Luczak said that if an appointed candidate isn't currently on the primary ballot, they would be faced with several choices should they wish to seek election to the post in the August primary election, and ultimately the general election in November: they could either campaign as a write-in candidate in the primary, a write-in candidate at the general election, or they could file 60 to 150 signatures from the 1st District with the Bay County Clerk's office by 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 to appear on the November ballot as a non-partisan qualifying petition candidate.

Bay County Clerk Cynthia Luczak

Krygier said he'll be taking a close look at candidates' history, as well as "what kind of experience they bring to the table." Tilley added that he hopes to find a candidate with a lot of ability that could work well with the rest of the board, as well as support and represent their constituents and move the county forward.

Krause's departure comes as he prepares to become register of deeds, an office to which he was appointed on Thursday, June 5, by a panel of three Bay County officials — Luczak, as well as Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury and Bay County Probate Judge Karen A. Tighe. Krause was picked from a pool of 46 applicants and five finalists who received interviews. The post, an elected position, opened mid-term after current Register of Deeds Vicki Roupe announced her retirement from the position to spend more time with her family.

Michele Reilly, a personnel assistant with Bay County, said Krause will be eligible to receive $71,126.65 annually as well as health insurance. He will be able to receive retirement benefits after 10 years of service to the county, which would include the time he's already spent as a county commissioner since 2010.

Fellow commissioners, who accepted Krause's resignation unanimously, lauded Krause's forthright discussion of issues that came before the board.

"Some commissioners never become vocal," Krygier said after the meeting. "Brandon was never short for words."

At the end of the meeting, Krygier allowed Krause to adjourn.

"It was rough," Krause said of reading his resignation. "I'm not going to lie to you. I got choked up reading the letter of resignation because I had the opportunity to represent the constituents of Bay County, and for me, I kind of take that to heart."

— Sam Easter is a general assignment reporter for The Bay City Times. He can be reached at seaster@mlive.com.